Christopher’s, the landmark Covent Garden restaurant and Martini Bar, will permanently close its doors at 18 Wellington Street at the end of September, bringing more than three decades at the Grade II listed site to a close.

Owned by the Paul family since 2010 and run by Managing Director Anika Paul, Christopher’s will remain open as usual throughout its final week, welcoming guests for brunch, lunch, dinner, drinks and private events.

During this time, the team will serve a selection of the restaurant’s most-loved dishes and drinks. These include its viral Chocolate Brioche French Toast, which has become a brunch icon and attracted the attention of critics, content creators and diners from around the world.

Opened in 1991 by Christopher Gilmour, Christopher’s was inspired by the grand American grill rooms of New York at a time when classic American steaks, lobster and cocktails were still relatively hard to find in London. It quickly became one of the capital’s most distinctive dining destinations and has remained a fixture of Covent Garden’s Theatreland ever since.

Set across three floors, Christopher’s is known for its sweeping staircase, first-floor dining room, Art Deco-inspired Martini Bar and lower-ground Club Room. Its menu of American classics has evolved over the years while remaining true to the spirit of the original restaurant, with signatures including lobster, Maryland crab cakes, prime steaks and indulgent brunch dishes.

Christopher’s also became a stalwart of London’s American expatriate community. Guests flocked to the restaurant for its annual Thanksgiving and Independence Day menus, which became renowned as some of the most sought-after reservations in the capital. Its Wellington Street home has a history stretching back considerably further. The Grade II listed building was first constructed in 1839 as C. F. Bielefeld’s papier-mâché works, designed by architect Sydney Smirke, before being rebuilt in 1863 – 64 as the Victoria Sporting Club, a Victorian gentlemen’s gaming club.

Most recently, Anika Paul oversaw a full refurbishment of Christopher’s in 2025 with interior designer Lucy Potter, refreshing the restaurant while preserving the character that has defined it for more than three decades.

Anika Paul, Managing Director of Christopher’s, said: “After more than three decades in Covent Garden, the time has come for us to close this chapter of Christopher’s at Wellington Street. This restaurant has been an enormous part of our family’s life, and we are incredibly grateful to every guest who has celebrated with us, every member of the team who has helped shape Christopher’s, and all the friends of the restaurant who have supported us over the years.

“These final weeks on Wellington Street will be a celebration of everything Christopher’s has been, and we hope to welcome back as many familiar faces as possible before we close the doors. While we are saying goodbye to this much-loved building, this is not the end of Christopher’s. We intend to relocate and look forward to sharing more about the restaurant’s next chapter in due course.”

The Paul family is actively exploring a new permanent home and an updated concept for Christopher’s. In the meantime, the restaurant team will remain available for pop-ups, private events and special collaborations, with further details to be announced.

Christopher’s final trading day at 18 Wellington Street will be DATE. Reservations can be made via: www.christophersgrill.com/reservations/